The Pakistani Taleban has announced the appointment of an interim leader amid
growing signs that the killing of its charismatic chief, Hakimullah Mehsud,
by a US drone could splinter the group into warring factions.

As a council of leaders continued to meet to discuss the selection of a new
leader, Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taleban
Pakistan (TTP), said that Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani had been named to head
up the group until a permanent replacement could be found.

Taleban sources and security officials reported signs of mounting tension
within the TTP, a loose coalition of tribal groups with a